Although chocolate may seem like a basic ingredient, in reality, it's somewhat complex. From milk content to sweetness to cacao percentage, there's a lot that can vary. The first thing to understand is the ratio of cacao to sugar. A chocolate that's 60 percent cacao contains 40 percent sugar. The more cacao a chocolate contains, the less sugar it has and the darker it is. To get a breakdown of Read more

Of all the crazy chocolates I've seen — among them, wasabi pea chocolate and soy-sauce-flavored Kit Kat — the most intriguing I tried was Xocolatl de David's Chicharrón Chocolate Bar. I loved the concept of crunchy mixed into smooth, savory blended with sweet, and yet I found myself wishing for more pork rind. That's when I dreamt up my perfect chocolate snack: Chicharrónes, or deep-fried Read more

If you still haven't figured out how you're going to get your Valentine's Day chocolate fix, grab some chocolate bars and a pint of heavy cream and make chocolate fondue. Seriously, it's quite possibly the easiest dessert ever! All you have to do is melt the two together in a double boiler. Voilà! Serve with an assortment of delicious dippers like sliced bananas, pound cake, or brownies. My Read more

If you missed celebrating national Nutella Day a couple weeks ago, don't fret, just fill your cookie jar with these delectable Nutella sandwich cookies! This sweet treat has great texture with a crunchy cookie and easy creamy Nutella filling. Traditionally, linzer cookies are made around the holidays and filled with jam, but a chocolate hazelnut spread makes the cookie perfect for Valentine's Read more

If you've been keeping up with YumSugar this week, you'll know that we've been talking about all things chocolate. Hopefully you've been inspired by the chocolate recipes and will whip up something delicious to enjoy with loved ones on Valentine's Day. When it comes to cooking with chocolate, I want to know what's your go-to brand. I always bake with Ghirardelli chocolate because it's local and Read more

Valentine's Day falls on a Monday this year, so why not take some time on Sunday to make a special lunch for your sweetheart? Pack a delicious salad or sandwich and a bag full of these addictive chocolate ganache thumbprint cookies. They're simple to make but require time for the dough to chill. The ganache is seasoned with vanilla bean resulting in a very smooth, rich, and delightful filling. I Read more